A major Indian hemp seizure has triggered controversy within the Eastern Regional Police Command after a truckload of dried leaves arrived in Koforidua missing nearly half of its content.

The 5-ton Hyundai truck, registered ER 760-23, carried more than 100 sacks of leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. Police intercepted the vehicle on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Under the instruction of Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Twumasi Ankrah, the truck was sent to the regional command. Service Driver Chief Inspector Daniel Addo delivered it the following day, October 1.

On arrival, officers discovered that several sacks had been tampered with and replaced with sawdust. This reduced the consignment significantly compared to what was originally seized.

Before the transfer, the Asesewa District Police Commander, Superintendent Francis Ackah, had refused to hand the truck over to the operations commander, insisting he would escort it personally. Despite this stance, discrepancies still appeared when the truck reached Koforidua.

Meanwhile, the two suspects linked to the case, Sulley Abubakari and Sadat, were not present. Reports indicate they escaped custody after being detained at the Sekesua Police Station.

In a related incident, three police officers who first intercepted the truck were briefly detained and later handed to the regional operations commander. They were held at the KTU Police Station but released after the intervention of Deputy Interior Minister, Ebenezer Terlabi Okletey.

The officers have been directed to submit formal statements. The incident has unsettled the Eastern Regional Command, with some officers expressing frustration over what they call unfair treatment of colleagues who risked their lives to secure the Indian hemp seizure.